Under the heading ‘security measures‘, the apex court issued the following guidelines:
a) There ought to be a security plan in place to be prepared by High Courts in consultation with the Principal Secretaries, Home Departments of each State government and the Director Generals of Police of the States/Union Territories or the Commissioners of Police wherever a court complex is within the jurisdiction of a Police Commissionerate. This security plan should be implemented in a timely manner at the State and district levels covering District Headquarters and other courts in outlying areas as well.
b) The security plan may include a proposal to set up permanent Court Security Unit(s) in each complex, indicating the strength and source of security personnel including armed/unarmed personnel and supervisory officer(s), the minimum term and mode of deployment, the list of duties and additional financial benefits for such manpower, special modules for training and sensitizing such manpower in matters of court security, etc.
c) The schematics of CCTV camera installation will have to be laid down on a district-wise basis where the respective State Governments should provide the requisite funds for the execution of such a plan in a timely manner.
d) In newly constructed court complexes, there appears to be a lack of consistency regarding the installation of CCTV cameras – whether it should be done before or after inauguration. “We emphasize that the installation of CCTV cameras should be an integral part of the construction project of courts, and therefore should be prioritized,” the Court said.
e) To address concerns regarding data and privacy, the High Courts may take appropriate measures or draft necessary guidelines in this regard.
f) Upon the finalisation of a security plan, the High Courts may entrust the responsibility of installation and maintenance of the CCTV cameras with the concerned District and Sessions Judges for a more realistic analysis of local requirements.
g) Keeping in mind the lax security measures at entry-exit points within several court complexes, the Court has recommended that such entry-exit points may be secured by constant monitoring with the help of adequate security equipment. The courts may consider putting in place security measures such as deployment of adequate police personnel, security stickers for vehicles, frisking, metal detectors, baggage scanners, court-specific entry passes, and biometric devices to enhance overall security. Other security measures may include regulating the use of court premises as thoroughfares, if necessary, even by way of total prohibition.
h) The relevant authorities may keep a strict check on the permissions required for the continued operations of shops and vendors in court permises, in view of concerns that these operations may potentially lead to security lapses.
i) It may be ensured that emergency measures like ambulances, medical facilities and firefighting services are immediately available and modernised within court complexes and unimpeded access to such vehicles to the premises is assured at all times. This includes ensuring unhindered movement and keeping the court complex vicinity free from traffic and parking congestion.
Source: Barandbench
